June 7, 2016

Sydney, Australia: Klub Koori returns to Carriageworks on Thursday 7 July in 2016 with hip-hop at its core, headlined by established Indigenous artists from around Australia, with a special showcase from emerging artists of the Young Black & Deadly (YBD) youth program run by Gadigal Information Service Aboriginal Corporation.

Presented in partnership by Carriageworks and Koori Radio 93.7FM, with the support of Department of Education, Aboriginal Affairs, Arts NSW and Australia Council Klub Koori coincides with national NAIDOC week, themed ‘Songlines’ in 2016: the living narrative of our nation.

The line-up this year includes:

Canberra-based hip hop producer, MC and vocalist Jimblah

Multi-award-winning hip hop and jazz artist Lady Lash

Sydney-based rapper and winner of the prestigious Dreaming Award at the 2016 Australia Council for the Arts National Indigenous Art Awards Nooky

Tasman Keith, next generation artist and son of seminal Australian Hip Hop pioneer Wire MC. T

This year marks the first ever performance of Young Black & Deadly (YBD) artists at a Klub Koori, premiering original recording compositions released by Gadigal Music

Klub Koori will be hosted by Australian hip hop icons Izzy and MunkiMuk

The YBD participants will have experienced song writing, performance, recording and producing activities alongside the guidance of mentors, including Leah Flanagan, Mark Ross, Jake Ballard and Marcus Corowa. The group of young artists (aged 11–17) will present a cross-generational program, showcasing a diversity of musical styles and to the stories and issues that effect and interest Indigenous artists.

Klub Koori is a regular event produced by Sydney’s only Aboriginal community radio station, Koori Radio 93.7FM, with strong community support, providing both established artists and young emerging artists the opportunity to perform, sharing their stories and culture with Carriageworks’ large and diverse audience. Klub Koori promotes the significant capabilities of Indigenous musicians and advocates for a broader appreciation of Aboriginal arts and culture.

Showcasing emerging and established Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians, Klub Koori provides a gathering place that welcomes all supporters and community to engage with contemporary Indigenous music and provides an opportunity for non-Indigenous people to join in celebrating Australia’s rich Indigenous history and culture through Hip Hop.

The 2016 event will build on the success of the 2014 and 2015 events presented at Carriageworks, Hereby Make Protest and Bart Willoughby and Friends.

Klub Koori will also be broadcasted live on Koori Radio 93.7FM and streaming via www.kooriradio.com

JIMBLAH
Jimblah is a producer, MC and vocalist based in Canberra, Australia. Hailing from the Larrakia Nation in Top End Northern Territory, he is influenced by a wide range of different artists and genres, his main passion being hip hop. The most striking thing about Jimblah is not his ability to sing, rap and produce beats, it’s the eyebrow-raising fact he does them all so well. His flow alone outshines most MCs, but his tone and singing style are so memorable, so drenched in soul; it’s music for the heart. Then consider his signature dusty, chopped-up melodic productions and you begin to understand Jimblah is truly a special talent.

LADY LASH
A storyteller of Hip Hop & Jazz. Lady Lash is an Indigenous (Kokatha) /Greek Woman from Ceduna, West Coast of South Australia, Lash spent her childhood days out on the Koonibba Mission listening to her Mum’s cassette tapes and learning how to sing & rap by emulating what she heard on those tapes and on the radio. In 2013 Lady Lash slayed the music scene with a multi-award-winning debut album, Crystal Mercy ‘The Fisherman’s Daughter’, which saw her take out a VIPA award for ‘Most Promising Act and The Age Music Vic Genre Award for ‘Songlines Best Indigenous Act”. Over the years she has been honoured as the Victorian state finalist for the ‘One Movement Festival’ (AIMS) Perth and Redfern Records Bump Award, ‘Best Female of the year’.

NOOKY
Nooky burst into the Sydney Hip Hop scene in 2010, his technical rap style and thought provoking lyrics propelled him forward. His Yuin blood line and culture informs his music, he pulls no punches when his culture and people are under fire, he remains unapologetically honest while delivering unique and tactful music. After moving to Sydney from the regional town of Nowra on the south coast of NSW, he quickly gained the attention of he’s peers, touring nationally with The Last Kinection and collaborating with Radical Son and The Herd, delivering their take on the Sam Cook anthem ‘A Change Is Gonna Come’ for Like a Version on triple J.

TASMAN KIETH
Tasman Keith is a mission boy who was raised between bustling inner city Sydney and the humble Bowraville Mission in the Nambucca valley. Tasman proudly represents the legacy of Gumbaynggirr Nation hip hop. Truly optimising everything that is dope about the newest generation of the culture, the youngest son of seminal Australian Hip Hop pioneer Wire MC, Tasman works hard to ensure he lives up to his pedigree Tasman is as motivated as he is talented.

YOUNG BLACK AND DEADLY
Young, Black & Deadly is an aspirational program for young people interested in self-expression through media, performance and other creative arts, our partnership with Gadigal Information Service provides the ten Young, Black & Deadly participants with a unique development opportunity to perform at Carriageworks in their first live performance on a professional stage. The Young Black & Deadly Program aims to instil confidence in young Indigenous performers while providing music industry training and career opportunities. Original recording compositions will also be released on the Gadigal Music label.

Klub Koori will be hosted by Hip Hop icons Izzy and MunkiMuk.

ABOUT CARRIAGEWORKSCarriageworks presents a contemporary multi-arts program that engages artists and audiences with contemporary ideas and issues. The program is artist led and emerges from Carriageworks’ commitment to reflecting social and cultural diversity. The Carriageworks artistic program is ambitious, risk taking and unrelenting in its support of artists. Carriageworks is a cultural facility of the NSW Government and is supported by Arts NSW. The Carriageworks program can be viewed at http://www.carriageworks.com.au

ABOUT KOORI RADIO / GADIGAL INFO SERVICEProduced by Gadigal Information Service, Koori Radio is currently enjoying its 22nd year of broadcasting. Koori Radio broadcasts seven days a week, featuring a diverse range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music programing. Gadigal Information Service also produce the annual Yabun event in Sydney, held on the 26th of January, and regular Klub Koori concerts and Young Black and Deadly talent development workshops.